Richard L. Koehler

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of retiree Richard L. Koehler at home after a period of declining health. He was 89.

Born in Lansing, Michigan, and raised in Evansville, Indiana, Richard graduated with an electrical engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1956. Before continuing his education, he served as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force assigned to the Cambridge Research Center. He went on to attend Stanford University, earning a doctorate in 1967.

Richard began his career at WHOI in 1968 as a research associate in the AOP&E Department.  He was promoted several times throughout his career and retired in 1994 as a senior engineer.  After retirement, he served on a casual basis from 1996 to 2001 in the Physical Oceanography Department as well as consulted part-time for McLane Research Laboratories.

He served on the Falmouth Energy Committee where he compiled data on the energy use of the town’s buildings and transport system.

He leaves his wife, Helen A. Koehler, stepdaughter Corinne Jacobson and her husband, Adel Chefridi, and two granddaughters.

He was predeceased by his brother, Jay Malcom Koehler.

A celebration of his life is planned for later in the year.

Information for this obituary is from the Cape Cod Times